Space shuttle Launch

[ILIKESNOW]

I am going on the july 10- july 14 wonder cruise and my day at sea is the 13th. Does anyone know if the space shuttle launch set for july 13 will be visible from the ship? or possibly from my stateroom verandah, which is on the port side of the ship?

 

[mommasita]

Last February there was a launch on our departure day, and we saw it Great from our verandah...Same spot as yours..So, as long as there is no delay, you should be great..

 

[castlegazer]

I think there is no way you will be able to see it "launch" from a day at sea. You may be able to see it at night while it orbits, though. It is a very bright star that moves.

I watch launches from our condo in Cocoa Beach.

 

[Skaught]

I live in St. Petersburg on the gulf coast, about 3 hours SW of Kennedy Space Center (154 miles, to be exact). On a clear day you can watch the plume of smoke rise. It's very cool. Once I watched a night launch from from roof. That was the coolest one I saw with a red flame going up.

So yes, I imagine you could see the launch from the ship on a clear day if you're within 175 miles of the launch.

Scott

 

[johnatthebar]

I have seen nightime launches from South Miami. I dont recall abotu daytime but I have heard others in the area say that they have.

 

[ILIKESNOW]

If I see the launch, it will just be an added bonus.

 

[Ratt45]

BTW, July 13th is only the start of the launch "window". It's not necessarily the date of the launch.

 

[Zandy595]

July 13th used to be the start of the launch window, but as of Thursday, June 30th it is actually the set launch date. Launch time is 3:51 PM EST

From my local newspaper:

After 2 1/2 years of frustrating setbacks and delays, NASA officially set July 13 as the launch date Thursday for the first space shuttle flight since the Columbia tragedy.

The Wonder will be on it's way back to Port Canaveral from Castaway Cay that day right? It's a good possibility that you will be able to see it, if it's a clear day. You might want to take binoculars.

 

[jrabbit]

IF the shuttle launches on your sea day I would think that you would have a good opportunity to see it. You cruiseing around the Bahamas (generally north because it's closer to port). And on Sea Days in the Bahamas the Captian is looking for good weather and trying to keep you in the sun and he might be driving in circles or figure 8's or who knows which way, so being able to see it from your verandah or not depends upon which direction the ship is sailing. I believe your best opportunity to spot it would be to be looking west (or some variation between northwest to southwest - depending upon where the ship is), more specific looking towards the launch site - that would give you more opportunity to see the "plume" of the rockets.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Castlegazer - I notice that you also watch launches from your condo on Cocoa Beach? When are you down here and if so - stop by the shop and say hello - Our first launch in over 2 years is set to go on the 13th, BUT we are having storms brewing which could have a great effect on the launch - Dennis is due here sometime at the end of this week, but there are 2 more building up - if there is ANY possibilities of danger, the launch will be postpone. I pray for Florida or for that face ANYWHERE around the world, that we can stay from the dangers of hurricanes this year ------we still recovering from last year.
Anyhow Good luck ILIKESNOW - the launches are worth everything folks say about them - I have watched them 42 years and still am amazed by them.
Always
Shirley
also a launch watcher from the condo patio

 

[kcashner]

We had one cruise where the captain tried twice to position us to see the launch--and both times the launch was cancelled. On another trip, we had a great view from WDW. We were at Downtown Disney about to get on a bus--all the busses stopped so people could get out and watch the launch.

 

[dgaston]

This is for snelsonbrown and castlegazer:

We are planning to drive over from WDW on the 13th. I've printed the recommended off Kennedy sites from Nasa.gov and they mention A1A and Titusville. Do you have any favorite sites besides your patios? And hints about traffic? I know it can be crowded, but suggestions on when to arrive would be helpful.

We've moved our backstage tour and cancelled our Rose n Crown dinner reservations for the 13th, but that will be the only day we do that. So we are sincerely hoping the launch does happen at 3:51 on the 13th.

TIA

 

[castlegazer]

Castlegazer - I notice that you also watch launches from your condo on Cocoa Beach? When are you down here and if so - stop by the shop and say hello

We gave up trying to be down there for this one. My sister is there now and will be coming back too early to see it, but they had originally scheduled to be down when it was in May.

I will deifnately stop by next time down. Our condo got blown apart in the hurricane so its been uninhabitable since that time and my brother-in-law has been working to renovate it again - he renovated it completely just prior to it being blow apart. Its at the Chateau by the Sea, right at the pier. We have had condos there since 1972 as investments in NASA business.

dgaston - The causeway is a great place to watch. But we have never seen it anywhere but at our rooftop - and normally in the middle of the night - FUN

 

[lime and sandy kids]

We too are hoping to see the launch. we arrive in Sanford /auto train on the 13that about 9am. provided we can be on the road at 10, and head for Cocoa beach we hope to arrive there at 11. is this doable with the expected traffic and congestion? and can we assume we will make it all the way to Cocoa beach area and especially get to a public beach in that area in time for the 3:51 launch? any ideas?This will be the first opportunity to see a shuttle launch and we are excited that it will possibly lead off our Land and Sea/ Orlando/Cape Canaveral vacation. Any Help?

 

[lime and sandy kids]

bump.

 

[dgaston]

Any other ideas?

 

[snelsonbrown]

Castlegazer - I love your place - I started to buy there years ago, but decided as much as I love being by the beach, that was too close to the pier for a number of reasons. Guess your sister told you we have Dennis the Menace who has the idea on how to create a problem on the Gulf side -----
Now for the shuttle launch IF IT IS LAUNCHED - NASA is in a meeting right now deciding if to move the shuttle off the launch pad - guess we will hear on the news tonight what will be going on - now one of the best places to watch the launch is passed the terminals on the left side of the road - there are bleaches and the sight is awesome - the shuttles are launched from the Air Force Station so you are so close you can almost reach out and touch them - it gets filled quickly, but very few tourist know about this area - locals do tho -----you are right on the water - now you are NOT close to drinking water, anything to eat etc so its best you grab snacks before going there - another great place is between hwy 50 and Titusville on the Indian River coastline - you are right in front of NASA and can see the launch almost from the beginning - traffic is VERY heavy so you need to make plans to either wait for everyone to leave or hop in your car and make a fast get away - this is our first launch in over 2 years and a huge attentance is expected - Meanwhile will post as soon as I hear if its a 3-2-1-GO.
always
Shirley

 

[fasttj2004]

I Think You Could I Have Friends In Sc And They See Every One

 

[CaribGirl]

The 13th got scrubbed, and "theoretically" could launch this Sunday, but it doesn't look too promising. They have until July 30 to launch. So hopefully it will go. We all here are waiting on pins and needles. It is just an awesome sight.
God speed Discovery

 

[Hurriacane Surviors]

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - NASA said Thursday that it will not make another attempt to launch space shuttle Discovery until at least Sunday - and even that is a ``really optimistic good-luck scenario.'' Maybe I will get lucky, we are sailing on the Wonder this Sunday.